Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader has warned that if any violence is unleashed in the name of the movement, it will be resisted by the people, report agencies.
The AL leader came up with the remarks while speaking at the three-day international conference on 'Green Bangladesh: Prosperous Bangladesh' organised by the party's sub-committee on forest and environment at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University in the city on Friday.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said AL will never attack anyone. But if it comes under attack it will counter attack.
He said BNP is trying all possible ways to make the next election questionable as it knows very well that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina can't be defeated in ballots.
The AL leader said BNP has resumed its arson terrorism like the one it carried out in 2013-14.
"We are concerned that they (BNP) wants to repeat the arson attack, terrorism and bombing it carried out in 2013-14," he said.
BNP leaders and workers usually try to get media coverage by attacking on and fighting with police, he added.
He said whenever the BNP men come to the streets in the name of movement, they get involved in clashes with police for media coverage.
"If you attack the police, will not the police personnel protect themselves? They will definitely protect themselves," he added.
The AL general secretary said the BNP leaders know it will not be possible to oust the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina government through elections and that is why they are trying to make elections questionable.
He said the BNP workers are no longer activists as they have turned into offenders.
"Is it the fault of police to nab those who are accused in terrorist cases? Even those who do bad things and commit offences despite belonging to Awami League will not be spared. The prime minister has repeatedly said this. She has taken 'zero tolerance' in this regard," Quader said.
Replying to a question, he said: "I will not attack proactively. But, if I am attacked by them, I must fight back to protect myself. The AL will reply to this by involving the country's people".
He said, if BNP activists are criminals, why is there so much objection if they are brought under the law?
Chairman of Forest and Environment Affairs Subcommittee Professor Khandkar Bajlul Rahman spoke at the conference while Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Shahab Uddin presided over the session.
